§ 9-634 — Criteria for review.

*NOTE: This section includes amendments by emergency legislation that will expire on March 30, 2026. To view the text of this section after the expiration of all emergency and temporary legislation, click this link: Past Permanent Version .*

(a) It is the policy of the District to approve block parties. The Department shall not deny a block party application because it is part of a porchfest or other distributed neighborhood festival occurring on the same date.

(b) A block party application or expedited block party application shall not be denied unless:

(1) It fails to meet the requirements of this chapter;

(2) The event would create a significant public safety concern;

(3) The event would create a significant traffic problem; or

(4) There is substantial neighborhood opposition to the block party.

(c) An application for a block party preauthorization shall not be denied unless the Department determines that:

(1) The application fails to meet the requirements of § 9-632.01 ;

(2) Frequent closures of the block would create significant public safety concerns or traffic problems; or

(3) There is substantial neighborhood opposition to the application.

Legislative History

Oct. 23, 2012, D.C. Law 19-190, § 5, 59 DCR 10163